Easy ways to check the gear ratio in a rear end

If you're trying to figure out how to check the gear ratio in a rear end, you're likely planning a big project, looking to improve your towing capacity, or just curious about why your truck feels a bit sluggish off the line. Knowing your gear ratio is one of those essential bits of "truck knowledge" that helps you understand exactly how your vehicle translates engine power into movement at the wheels. It's not nearly as complicated as it sounds, and you usually won't even need to get your hands greasy—unless you really want to. ...

February 9, 2026 · 6 min · Britt Jamaira